Work to clean up and restore Paterswoldsemeer completed
The work on the Paterswoldsemeer lake has been completed. In recent years, the Noorderzijlvest Water Authority has taken various measures to improve water quality. The goal: clean water, a wide variety of plants and animals, low levels of blue-green algae, and manageable aquatic plant growth. The drainage route to Hoendiep has also been addressed. Yesterday afternoon, a festive closing ceremony was held with all the partners involved, and on March 9, there will be a special bike tour around the lake for local residents and recreational users.
Successful collaboration
The measures implemented in 2024 to improve water quality were devised in collaboration with residents, users, Meerschap Paterswolde, Natuurmonumenten, and Sportvisserij Groningen Drenthe. The municipality of Groningen was an important partner in the project to improve the main waterways between Paterswoldsemeer and Hoendiep. Elze Reitsema, executive director at Waterschap Noorderzijlvest: "Improving water quality is a major social challenge for the water authority. We are doing this in accordance with the Water Framework Directive and in close cooperation with the local community. Thanks to our mutual trust and confidence in the plan we have drawn up, we have now reached a major milestone in terms of clean and safe water. For everyone who lives, works or spends their leisure time in this area. Ultimately, water connects us all."
What have we done about water quality?
Last year, nature-friendly banks and zones, fish hotels, and fish forests were created in various locations. These areas offer fish and small aquatic animals a safe haven in which to develop. They strengthen the ecological balance and thus the water quality. Step by step, nature is returning. In areas where aquatic plants cause nuisance to recreational users, the Meerschap mows them according to the aquatic plant management plan. In this way, the plants contribute to the ecology of the lake, while recreational users can continue to enjoy the water.
It is a combination of measures that ultimately improves water quality. In an earlier phase, a fixed water level and a new weir a fish passage were already installed. An iron sand passage was also constructed. The iron sand filters phosphates from the water, keeping the lake cleaner and reducing the risk of blue-green algae.
Climate measures
In addition to the WFD measures, the drainage route between Paterswoldsemeer and the pumping station Verbetering pumping station on Hoendiep has been improved and made climate-proof. The main waterways have been widened, a large weir has been weir , and smaller weirs have been replaced. This allows more water to be drained more quickly. This is important now that we are increasingly faced with heavy rainfall as a result of climate change.
Festive bike ride
To celebrate the completion of all planned work in Paterswoldsemeer, the water authority collaboration with the lake association, is organizing a beautiful bike tour around the lake on Sunday, March 9. Involved employees will talk about the work and its impact on water and nature at various locations along the lake. Everyone is welcome!
Sunday, March 9, 2025. Start independently between 1:30 and 3:00 p.m. Event ends at 4:00 p.m. Start/end point at the Meerschapsboerderij (Veenweg 46, Haren) with coffee/tea/hot chocolate. Bring your own bike.
Unable to attend on March 9? The bike ride—with information about the measures taken—is permanent and can also be cycled on your own. More information: Patesrwoldsemeer bike route
The measures for the Paterswoldsemeer (Meer in Balans 2 project – Groningen and Drenthe/Water Framework Directive) were made possible in part by a European subsidy via the Northern Netherlands Partnership (SNN).